(Nov. 12, 2013) -- The UTSA Downtown Campus community honored those who serve and served our country in the armed services at an 11 a.m. ceremony on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

As military representatives and dependents read the 250 names from the 2013 National Roll Call of those who gave their lives, a bell was sounded in their honor. Each name was read, knowing that they were someone's son, daughter, father, mother, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, loved one, friend, co-worker, classmate or battle buddy. Each of the fallen leaves behind unfulfilled dreams, and we are humbled by the sacrifice they made.

Additionally, speakers expressed their gratitude and support for veterans who now are UTSA students. At the ceremony, UTSA staff distributed yellow ribbons and provided an opportunity to write thank-you notes to be distributed to veterans across the city.

The UTSA Student Veterans Association, the UTSA Veterans Services Advisory Committee, Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC planned a series of UTSA events for Veterans Day. Paul Benevides, a social work graduate student and the Downtown Campus representative for the Student Veterans Association, took the lead in planning the National Roll call and wreath laying ceremony at the Downtown Campus.

"It's important that we stay connected with our UTSA community because the SVA supports and advocates for the student veterans of UTSA," said Benevides. "The SVA membership was honored to participate in the roll call by calling out the names of service men and women that gave the ultimate sacrifice in serving our country."

The readers of the names of fallen veterans included SVA members Staff Sgt. Julie Gilmore, U.S. Army; military dependent Gary Ibave; Specialist Tessa Marsh, U.S. Army; Hospital Corpsman Second Class Matt Hachman, U.S. Navy; and Petty Officer Third Class Jason Anthony Rose, U.S. Navy.

The historical significance of Nov. 11 is that in the 11th month on the 11th day at the 11th hour, the peace treaty was signed to end World War I, which was called "the war to end all wars."

Originally called Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I, it was changed to Veterans Day in the United States in 1954 to honor all veterans and the war dead.

President Dwight Eisenhower's Veterans Day announcement: "I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, president of the United States of America, do hereby call upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, Nov. 11, 1954, as Veterans Day. On that day, let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly on the seas, in the air and on foreign shores to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain."

UTSA researcher is a star behind the cloud

A revolution in cloud computing is underway, and Ravi Sandhu believes it will be much bigger than the PC and Internet revolutions that have already changed the way we live. Sandhu, director of the UTSA Institute for Cyber Security, says UTSA is taking a leadership role in tackling three fundamental cloud technology problems: how to build and operate the cloud, how to use it profitably for diverse applications and how to keep it secure.

Sandhu, the Lutcher Brown Distinguished Chair in Cyber Security in the College of Sciences, and Ram Krishnan, assistant professor of electrical engineering in the UTSA College of Engineering, are funded by a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to improve cloud security.

Did you know? Sandhu, a world-renowned cybersecurity expert, holds 30 patents, has authored more than 250 papers and been cited more than 30,000 times.

This documentary, presented by the San Antonio Film Festival, documents the experience of re-entry after incarceration. The film features Michael Gilbert, associate professor in the department of criminal justice and director of the Office of Community and Restorative Justice program at UTSA.
Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle

Discover resources and strategies for teaching Tejano history and culture and get a special educator's tour of the new long-term exhibit, Los Tejanos.
Institute of Texan Cultures, 801 E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd.

This annual symposium is an opportunity to discuss Texas higher education issues and trends with Texas higher education scholars, state and local government officials, students, and campus and local community members.
Downtown Campus

Join President Ricardo Romo, The Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band, students, faculty and staff to light the monument at the Main Campus entrance at the stroke of midnight.
John Peace Boulevard Entrance, Main Campus

The UTSA Alumni Association hosts this annual gala honoring the Alumna of the Year, Alumnus of the Year and the Alumnus of the Year Lifetime Achievement award winners.
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa, 9800 Hyatt Resort Dr.

Meet a Roadrunner

After graduation, Queretaro native founded a music label recognized by SXSW

UTSA's Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA's Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA's Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.